Hotel Tipping Guide: Housekeeping, Bellhop, Concierge & Room Service
Quick Answer
Tip hotel housekeeping $3 to $5 per night (left daily on the desk or bedside table with a note). Tip bellhops $2 to $3 per bag, valet attendants $3 to $5 upon car retrieval, and doormen $2 to $5 for hailing taxis in bad weather. For room service, check if gratuity is already included on the receipt.
- ✓Always tip housekeeping daily, not as a lump sum at checkout, because room attendants rotate shifts daily.
- ✓Bellhop standard: $2 per bag for standard luggage, $3–$5 for heavy golf bags or garment bags.
- ✓Room service bills almost always include an 18%–22% gratuity fee; inspect your slip before adding more.
- ✓Keep a dedicated envelope of $1, $5, and $10 bills in your carry-on luggage for effortless hotel tipping.
Clear Tip Calculator operates offline and on mobile, allowing travelers to compute room service tips and travel gratuities with zero layout shifts.
- Check the room service check for pre-printed "Gratuity Included" line items.
- Enter the food and beverage subtotal into Clear Tip Calculator to determine fair service compensation.
- Use cash for hotel bellhops, doormen, and housekeeping staff.
The Hotel Staff Tipping Cheat Sheet
| Role | Customary Tip | Timing & Method |
|---|---|---|
| Housekeeping | $3 – $5 per night ($7–$10 in luxury suites) | Daily in cash on desk/pillow with note "Housekeeping" |
| Bellhop / Porter | $2 – $3 per bag | When bags are delivered to your room |
| Valet Parking | $3 – $5 | Upon car retrieval (pickup) |
| Concierge | $5 – $10 ($20+ for hard-to-book reservations) | Upon securing reservation or special ticket |
| Doorman | $2 – $5 | For hailing a cab in rain or assisting with heavy luggage |
Why You Must Tip Housekeeping Daily
Housekeepers are the hardest working and lowest paid employees in the hospitality industry. They scrub toilets, lift heavy mattresses, replace linens, and vacuum several hundred pounds of furniture daily.
The single most important hotel etiquette rule is to tip housekeeping every single morning rather than leaving a lump sum on your final checkout day. Housekeeping schedules rotate constantly; leaving $25 at the end of a 5-night stay means the housekeeper who serviced your room on Monday through Thursday receives nothing, while a different weekend worker takes the entire amount.
Luggage Bellhops: Multi-Bag Logistics and Storage Holds
When arriving early before check-in or checking out hours before an evening flight, leaving your bags with the hotel bell desk is standard traveler practice. Etiquette dictates tipping at two distinct moments:
- Drop-Off & Storage: Tip $2 per bag when the porter tags your luggage and transfers it to the secure holding closet.
- Room Delivery or Retrieval: Tip $2 to $3 per bag (or $5 for heavy suitcases, golf travel bags, or ski equipment) when the porter delivers items to your room.
Resort Fees vs. Direct Staff Gratuities
Many beach resorts, Las Vegas hotels, and convention properties charge mandatory "Resort Fees" or "Destination Amenity Fees" ranging from $35 to $60 nightly. These fees cover pool access, Wi-Fi, and fitness center facilities—they do not replace tips for hourly workers.
Always inspect your checkout folio. If housekeeping or luggage gratuities are explicitly itemized on the bill, you do not need to leave cash. Otherwise, direct cash remains essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions and answers regarding hotel tipping guide housekeeping per day.